1. Is Estonia the world’s smallest country?

Definitely not. With an area of 45 227 sq km, Estonia is larger, for example, than Slovenia, Holland or Switzerland. But Estonia’s population ranks amongst the smallest in the world with about 32 people per sq km (compare with the Netherlands with 380 people per sq km).

2. What is the weather like in Estonia? Does the sun ever shine here?

Due to the influence of the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf Stream, the weather in Estonia is considerably milder than the continental climate characteristic of the same latitude. The average temperature in the summer months is typically 15 -18°C; in winter about -5°C. The sky over Estonia is cloudy for about half the year, and the hilly southeast region experiences up to 750 mm of precipitation due to Estonia’s maritime climate. Estonian weather offers many surprises. Temperatures may fluctuate daily by 20°C; in the early morning the thermometer might read -12°C and by the afternoon it may already be 10°C. In winter, there tends to be about 10 cm of snow on the ground consistently from late December through to the beginning of March. The length of the longest day in summer is over 19 hours, while the shortest winter day lasts only six hours.

3. Do polar bears live in Estonia?

Although Estonia is situated in Northern Europe, the nearest polar bears live more than 2000 km further north. Many plant and animal species live in Estonia which are rare or no longer found elsewhere in Europe. The elk, roe deer and wild boar are amongst Estonia’s common large mammals. There are also wolves, brown bears, lynxes, and seals. About 10% of Estonia is a nature reserve.

Forests comprise slightly under half of Estonia’s territory. Here you can find such trees as pine, spruce, birch, aspen, alder, oak, linden, ash, and elm.

4. Why are Estonians called a “singing nation”?

If you ask an Estonian to sing, you will meet with an embarrassed refusal. Yet Estonians, with their long tradition of song festivals dating from the time of the National Awakening in the mid-19^th century, have earned themselves the title of a singing nation. The typical Estonian willingly sings in a choir; choral music is considered by many to be a symbol of the country in large.

5. Do ferns really blossom in Estonia?

A few days after the summer solstice, on the evening of 23 June, Estonian cities become half empty. Everybody who can do so travels to the country in order to celebrate one of Estonia’s most significant holidays – St. John’s day. On that night darkness lasts for only a few hours. Thousands of bonfires are lit all over Estonia, people sing and dance around them, and when the flames have died down a bit, those who are brave enough leap through them to shake off the year’s evils. St. John’s (Midsummer’s) Day marks the lightest time of the year, and the customs relating to it go back to pre-Christian pagan times. It is on St. John’s night alone that ferns are said to blossom; the lucky finder of the “rarest of blooms” may expect great happiness and wealth.

St. John’s and Christmas are the most important festivals in Estonia. Christmas, celebrated after the winter solstice, falls in the darkest period of the year; it is primarily a family-centered holiday. Both the old and the young stand by a decorated, candle-lit Christmas tree waiting for Father Christmas to deliver the presents. Afterwards, they all sit down to a festive dinner which usually consists of roast pork, black pudding with cowberry jam, and sauerkraut with roast potatoes. Traditionally, the lady of the house spends the last few evenings before Christmas in the kitchen, baking and sugar-frosting gingerbread men. Other ancient customs are still practiced which relate to the time of year. On Shrove Tuesday, in February, adults seize the chance to go sledging together with the children. On St. Martin’s Day (10 November) and St. Catherine’s Day (25 November) children in costumes go from house to house, earning sweets with their singing and dancing. In addition to these festivities, Estonians also have several national holidays. The most important falls on 24 February, when people celebrate the declaration of independence of 1918. Regardless of the weather, which in February may vary between mild thaw and fierce frost, a military parade takes place in the morning. In the evening the majority of Estonians gather in front of their television sets to watch the President’s reception – if they are not invited to attend themselves.